Help Me Choose A Really Good Filter.

[thumpersrx]

Hi guys
I am currently running a Fluval Roma 240
It is a well stocked community tank, moderately planted with co2. The biggest fish are a pair of Bolivian Rams, As well as a Bristlenose plec and a L128 blue Phantom. It runs with a Fluval 306 filter with an line steriliser and external Hydor heater. I have no problems with the fish or tank other than a bit if hair algae that I think could be partly due to poor flow in the tank.
Because the tank is well stocked, I would like the best possible filter for it. The 306 has always seemed a little bit weak.
Eihem seems to get brilliant reviews... But which one ?
Or do I go with a bigger Fluval like the Fx5 or the G range ?

I really want the best I can get, don't want get it wrong and wish I'd got something better.!

Over to you oh wise ones

 

[techen]

Hi guys
I am currently running a Fluval Roma 240
It is a well stocked community tank, moderately planted with co2. The biggest fish are a pair of Bolivian Rams, As well as a Bristlenose plec and a L128 blue Phantom. It runs with a Fluval 306 filter with an line steriliser and external Hydor heater. I have no problems with the fish or tank other than a bit if hair algae that I think could be partly due to poor flow in the tank.
Because the tank is well stocked, I would like the best possible filter for it. The 306 has always seemed a little bit weak.
Eihem seems to get brilliant reviews... But which one ?
Or do I go with a bigger Fluval like the Fx5 or the G range ?

I really want the best I can get, don't want get it wrong and wish I'd got something better.!

Over to you oh wise ones

Are you from the UK?

 

[thumpersrx]

Yes .... Derbyshire.

 

[Mikey1]

there really is no such thing as a good or bad filter,

a filter has one job, that is to pump water through it,

a filter only works as well as you maintain it, meaning the bacteria colony, not the actual hardware,

 

[mishmash]

There is such a good thing as a good and bad filter. Some are noisy and rattle and break down often, others are manufactured well and last longer. IMO you can't go wrong with an Eheim. Everyone will have a story about how they dont like this make and that make, but it is widely accepted that Eheim in general are an excellent choice. I would steer clear of the Fluval G range. They are totally overpriced and half the gimmicks on them are of no use at all. They say they have alarms for out or range on temperature etc but then this is not audible and the filter is usually in a cabinet ! I personally have an Eheim 2078 and will NEVER look back

 

[thumpersrx]

Had a look at the G range today, and you're right... There's no way I need any of that stuff !
The big Fluval fx looks dreadful ! Not that it really matters, but not sure it would fit in my living room, never mind the cabinet !
I am liking the Eheim. ... Off to have a good mooch at the weekend.
You hear good and bad about everything. I think you just need to listen to everyone's opinion... Then form your own.
Thanks chaps

 

[CMartino]

I've just bought a Interpet PF3 filter for my 25 gallon community tank and my god it's good, you can pick them up from Amazon for £25 including postage. Mine is super quiet and the flow is as powerful as hell! Well worth the money and supports up to 230L tanks.

 

[mishmash]

Had a look at the G range today, and you're right... There's no way I need any of that stuff !
The big Fluval fx looks dreadful ! Not that it really matters, but not sure it would fit in my living room, never mind the cabinet !
I am liking the Eheim. ... Off to have a good mooch at the weekend.
You hear good and bad about everything. I think you just need to listen to everyone's opinion... Then form your own.
Thanks chaps

Im glad you see what I mean about the G range. Its a LOT of money for nothing of much use. The joke of it is, the fancy LCD display that shows you all the readouts (but which does NOT beep to advise you of an alarm !!) is often corrupted ! Where the layers of the LCD stick together you get that black smudge the same as if you push against an LCD TV or watch screen ! According to the distributors/manufacturers, this is "perfectly normal" ! For a £350 filter I would want a display that didn't look like cr4p, LOL. In fact I would rather no display and the money went into quality rather than gimmicks.

Dont forget you can get bargains with buying filters from Germany www.aquaristic.net or www.zooplus.de for example. Zooplus give free shipping and 10% off for a first order if you register online with them. And you can even call the UK helpline to talk about orders on the german website

 

[max1e]

hi, i've had a eheim 2180 for a month or so now and its great, flows excellent + the internal heaters a nice touch. build quality is excellent and very easy to use.